Page 8 of Shadows of Obsession

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion as I turned to face him, my eyes shining. "I don't know what to say."

Connor's smile was warm and gentle, his honey-colored eyes reflecting sincerity.

"You don't have to say anything," he replied softly. "Just make yourself at home. This is your space now for as long as you need it."

With those words, a sense of peace settled over me. I sank down onto the edge of the bed, the mattress yielding like a gentle embrace. For a moment, I simply allowed myself to be still, to breathe in the tranquility.

Connor lingered in the doorway.

"Make yourself at home, Anna. This is your home now, as much as it is mine. I've got some work to do, but feel free to wander around. I'll tell everyone that you're here, so they won't bother you."

With a gentle smile and a nod, Connor turned to leave, his footsteps echoing softly down the hallway. As the door closed behind him with a quiet click, a wave of exhaustion swept over me, the events of the past few days finally catching up.

I sank back onto the bed, my body melting into the plush comforter as I stared up at the ceiling, my mind swirling with a million thoughts and feelings. Regret mingled with relief, the weight of my decisions pressing down on me.Would things have been different if I'd come to Connor sooner? If I'd sought safety here instead of running for so long?

As doubts and fears gnawed at the edges of my mind, a flicker of something else began to take root. For the first time in longer than I could remember, I felt safe. Protected. Surrounded by the love and loyalty of one of the only people who'd always been there for me, no matter what.

When was the last time I felt truly safe?

The soft sound of the front door closing echoed through the house, signaling Connor's return to his work outside. My eyelids grew heavy, the exhaustion of the past few days pulling me under.

As I drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, it was the first truly peaceful rest I'd had in months since leavingDaniel and my past behind.

CHAPTER 3

Anna

Istirred from sleep to the sensation of warm breath tickling my face—hot and insistent. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself staring directly into Chester's playful gaze, his tongue lolling out in what could only be described as a grin. His tail thumped against the bed frame in rhythmic excitement, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hello to you too," I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep.

Chester's whimper of delight filled the room as I reached down to ruffle his golden fur. Well, this is one hell of an alarm clock. But honestly? I'd take a dog's wet nose over the jarring buzz of my phone any day.

With a languid stretch that made my spine pop in three places, I pushed myself up from the bed. God, when was the last time I'd actually slept through the night? The pillow beside me still held the indent of my head, and for a moment, I just stared at it. No nightmares. No waking in a cold sweat, checking the locks.

Just sleep.

My feet sank into the plush carpet as I padded to the window, drawn by something I couldn't quite name. When I pulled back the curtains, the ranch unfolded before me and my breath caught.

Holy hell.

The morning sun painted everything in shades of gold and amber. The paddocks stretched out like a patchwork quilt, white fencing sharp against the green grass. A soft breeze carried the scent of hay and wildflowers through the open window, mingling with the earthy aroma of the stables.

The reality of my new surroundings settled over me with profound impact: This is real. I'm really here.

From my vantage point, I could see workers already deep into their morning tasks, moving with practiced rhythm through the paddocks. Horses trotted alongside them, sleek and gleaming in the light. Even from up here, the bond between human and animal was unmistakable, something in the way they moved together, perfectly in sync.

The sight filled me with a profound yearning. I'd missed this. Missed being around horses. Missed the simplicity of a life that revolved around their care and training instead of... walking on eggshells. Calculating every word, every movement, every breath to avoid setting him off.

I forced myself to pull back from the toxic memory. I wouldn't think about him. Not here.

My gaze swept across the property until it landed on the fenced arena behind the barn. Even from this distance, I could hear the rhythmic thud of hooves against soft earth, a melody of strength and grace. Someone was riding.

I squinted against the morning sun, a small smile curving my lips. Connor stood at the edge of the arena, tall and confident, that quiet authority he'd always carried radiating from him. Beside him, a man and a woman spoke animatedly, their gestures bright as they watched a magnificent blue roan stallion parade before them—the same one from yesterday.

The horse moved like liquid silver, each step a testament to months, maybe years, of careful training. The rider sat deep in the saddle, their aids so subtle I could barely see them, yet the horse responded to every cue, gliding from walk to trot to canter with effortless precision.

Connor always did have a gift with horses.